Wireless local area network device supporting enhanced call functions

ABSTRACT

A wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiving integrated circuit services voice communications in a WLAN with at least one other wireless device and includes a WLAN interface, a transcoder, and a switch box. The WLAN interface wirelessly communicates with at least one wireless device to receive inbound packetized audio data from the at least one wireless device and to transmit outbound packetized audio data to the at least one wireless device. The transcoder receives the inbound packetized audio data and converts the inbound packetized audio data to inbound Pulse Code Modulated (PCM) WLAN audio data. The WLAN interface also receives outbound PCM WLAN audio data and converts the outbound PCM WLAN audio data to the outbound packetized audio data. The switch box operably couples between the transcoder and a PCM bus, to which an audio COder/DECoder (CODEC) couples. A speaker and a microphone coupled to the audio CODEC. The switch box enables the wireless transceiving integrated circuit to perform call conferencing operations, call forwarding operations, call hold operations, call muting operations, and call waiting operations.

CROSS REFERENCES TO PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/291,006, filed Nov. 8, 2002, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,403,141,which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/356,323, filed Feb. 12, 2002, and to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 60/394,327, filed Jul. 8, 2002, the disclosures of all of whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wireless communications; and moreparticularly to operations by a Wireless Local Area Network device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The number and popularity of wireless communications devices in usecontinues to rise rapidly all over the world. Not only have cellulartelephones become very popular, but Wireless Local Area Networking(WLAN) devices have also proliferated. One standard for wirelessnetworking, which has been widely accepted, is the Specification of theBluetooth System, v. 1.0 (“Bluetooth Specification”). The BluetoothSpecification enables the creation of small personal area networks(PAN's), where the typical operating range of a device is 100 meters orless. In a Bluetooth system, Bluetooth devices sharing a common channelsequence form a piconet. Two or more piconets co-located in the samearea, with or without inter-piconet communications, is known as ascatternet.

The Bluetooth Specification supports voice communications betweenBluetooth enabled devices. When a pair of Bluetooth devices supportvoice communication, the voice communications must be wirelesslysupported in a continuous fashion so that carried voice signals are ofan acceptable quality. Unexpected gaps, e.g., dropped packets, on thewireless link between supported Bluetooth devices causes degradation inthe voice communication resulting in popping, static, or otherunpleasant audible event. This problem is especially troublesome withBluetooth devices since, in some operations, the communication link willregularly drop packets that carry the voice signals.

A further shortcoming of such operations relates to the manner in whichpacketized audio data is transmitted between Bluetooth devices. Consideran operation in which a first Bluetooth device transmits packetizedaudio data to a second Bluetooth device for presentation to a user.Because the Bluetooth WLAN supports data rates greatly in excess ofthose required for satisfactory voice service, each transmission fromthe first Bluetooth device carries a relatively large amount ofpacketized audio data. The duration of this transmission is typicallysmall compared to the duration over which the second Bluetooth devicewill present the packetized audio data (carried in the transmission) tothe user. Thus, the second Bluetooth device buffers the receivedpacketized audio data and presents the packetized audio data (in aconverted form) over an appropriate time period. However, if thepacketized audio data stored in the input buffer is fully consumed priorto receipt of another transmission from the first Bluetooth device, itwill appear to the second Bluetooth device that packetized audio data islost (or severely delayed), and the second Bluetooth device willprovided degraded audio to the serviced user.

Still another limitation relates to the manner which Bluetooth devicesservice voice communications. In most cases, the Bluetooth device issimply a replacement for a wired headset. Such a use of the Bluetoothdevice, while providing benefits in mobility of the user, provideslittle additional benefit over wired devices. Because other wirelesssolutions provide many of the benefits that current Bluetooth devicesprovide in servicing voice communications, the needs for thecomplexities of the Bluetooth specification are questioned.

Thus, there is a need for improved operations by wireless devicesservicing voice communications that provide additional userfunctionality and improved service quality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operationthat are further described in the following Brief Description of theDrawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims.Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention madewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating a plurality of Wireless LocalArea Network (WLAN) devices, some of which have installed thereinwireless transceiving integrated circuit constructed according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2A is a system diagram illustrating the interaction between aplurality of wireless devices constructed according to the presentinvention and a Wireless Access Point (WAP);

FIG. 2B is a system diagram illustrating the interaction betweenwireless headsets, a cell phone, and a cellular base station accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating the electrical components of awireless headset that includes a first embodiment of a wirelesstransceiving integrated circuit constructed according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating the electrical components of awireless headset that includes a second embodiment of a wirelesstransceiving integrated circuit constructed according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 4A is a block diagram generally illustrating the components of awireless transceiving integrated circuit constructed according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 4B is a block diagram generally illustrating in more detail thecomponents of the wireless transceiving integrated circuit constructedaccording to the present invention of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the components of a Baseband Coreof the wireless transceiving integrated circuit constructed according tothe present invention of FIGS. 4A and 4B;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram generally illustrating the components of aPulse Code Modulated (PCM) interface of the Baseband Core of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a logic diagram illustrating operation of a wireless headsetconstructed according to the present invention in performing enhancedcall management;

FIGS. 8A through 8D are graphs illustrating the production of PCMsynchronization pulses and PCM audio data by the transcoder of the PCMinterface of the wireless transceiving integrated circuit of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a switchbox of the PCM interface of the WLAN transceiving circuit of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating signal selection circuitry ofthe first embodiment of the switch box of the PCM interface of the WLANtransceiving circuit of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating signal combining circuitry ofthe first embodiment of the switch box of the PCM interface of the WLANtransceiving circuit of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a switchbox of the PCM interface of the WLAN transceiving circuit of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating in more detail the secondembodiment of the switch box of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the manner in which the switchbox of FIG. 12 operates to process audio data; and

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating yet another embodiment of theswitch box of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating a plurality of Wireless LocalArea Network (WLAN) devices, some of which have installed thereinwireless transceiving integrated circuit constructed according to thepresent invention. Each of these wireless devices supports one or moreversions of the Bluetooth Specification. A Bluetooth “scatternet” isformed from multiple “piconets” with overlapping coverage. Thescatternet of FIG. 1 includes four separate piconets 102, 104, 106, and108. Piconet 102 includes master (computer) 110, slave 112 (PDA), slave114 (printer), slave 130 (wireless headset), and slave 115 (musicsource). Piconet 104 includes master 120 (computer), slave 122 (PDA),slave 123 (wireless phone), slave 130 (wireless headset), and slave 134(landline phone). Piconet 106 includes master (computer) 116, slave 118(PDA), slave 114 (printer), slave 130 (wireless headset), and slave 132(wireless headset). Piconet 108 includes master (computer) 124, slave126 (PDA), slave 128 (wireless phone, e.g., WLAN phone, cell phone,etc.), slave 132 (wireless headset), and slave 130 (wireless headset).The four separate piconets 102, 104, 106, and 108 have overlappingcoverage areas. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, all masters are shown to becomputers because they will typically be stationary and have theprocessing capability to service a number of slaves. However, in otherembodiments, the masters could be other devices as well. The scatternetof FIG. 1 may service a call center, customer service department, orother office environment, for example that benefits by the wirelessinterconnection of the illustrated devices.

A user of wireless headset 130 (or 132) may establish communicationswith any wireless device in a piconet of which the wireless headset 130(or 132) is also a member. The wireless headset 130 may have a minimaluser interface, e.g., a single authenticate button that initiatesjoining of a piconet. However, the wireless headset 130, in itsoperating location, resides within the service coverage area of each ofthe four separate piconets 102, 104, 106, and 108 that form thescatternet. Thus, when the wireless headset 130 enters (or powers up in)an area with more than one functioning piconet, a user of the wirelessheadset 130 depresses an authenticate button to start the authenticationprocess. With the authenticate button depressed, the wireless headsetattempts to join one of piconets 102, 104, 106, and 108. Subsequentauthentication operations are required to have the wireless headset jointhe selected piconet. These subsequent authentication operations mayinclude prompting the user for selection of the piconet, requiring thatentry be made on the home computer 110 to allow the wireless headset 130to join the piconet 102, or other authentication operations. Likewise,the wireless headset 132 joins piconet 106 by performing appropriateauthentication operations with master (computer 116) of piconet 106.

Once a wireless headset, e.g., 130 or 132 joins a respective piconet,102 or 106, the wireless headset establishes an audio link with one ormore of the members of the piconet via respective WLAN links. Inparticular, when the wireless headset 130 serves within a call center ofFIG. 1, for example, an attendant using the wireless headset 130services calls of the call center. Such calls will be received andmanaged by the computer 110 in the example. Likewise, the user ofwireless headset 132 will work in conjunction with the computer 116 toservice calls for the call center.

Each of the wireless devices illustrated in FIG. 1 may include awireless transceiving integrated circuit constructed according to thepresent invention. As will be described further herein with reference toFIGS. 3A-10, the wireless transceiving integrated circuit supportsenhanced call functions. These enhanced call functions include callconferencing operations, call forwarding operations, call holdoperations, call muting operations, and call waiting operations.

FIG. 2A is a system diagram illustrating the interaction between aplurality of wireless devices 204, 208, and 210 constructed according tothe present invention and a Wireless Access Point (WAP) 202. In theembodiment of FIG. 2A, the wireless headset 204 is Bluetooth compliantand/or IEEE 802.11 compliant, e.g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE802.11g, etc. In such case, the wireless headset 204 establishes a voicecommunication via the WAP 202 with another device also serviced by theWAP 202, or, more likely, with another device couple to the WAP 202 viathe Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) backbone network 206. Further,the wireless headset 204 services voice communications with twoadditional wireless headsets 208 and 210. According to the presentinvention, the wireless headset 204 supports call conferencingoperations, call forwarding operations, call hold operations, callmuting operations, and call waiting operations for ongoing callsserviced with the wireless headsets 208 and 210 and the WAP 202.

FIG. 2B is a system diagram illustrating the interaction betweenwireless headsets 254, 258, and 260, a cell phone 252, and a cellularbase station 256. The cell phone 252 establishes a cellular telephonecall via the base station 256 with another wireless device or with awired device that couples to the base station 256 via a wiredconnection. The cell phone 252 operates according to a cellularoperating standard, e.g., IS-95A, IS-95B, IS-136, GSM, 1xRTT, 1xEV,UMTS, etc. The cell phone 252 also supports the Bluetooth specificationand communications with the wireless headset 254 via Bluetoothoperations. The wireless headset 254 supports communications withwireless headsets 258 and 260 also via the Bluetooth operations. Thus,for example, the user of the wireless headset 254, while operating avehicle may use the wireless headset 254 for audio communicationsserviced by the cell phone 252. However, usage of the components of FIG.2B is not limited to a vehicular application. According to the presentinvention, the wireless headset 254 supports call conferencingoperations, call forwarding operations, call hold operations, callmuting operations, and call waiting operations for ongoing callsserviced with the wireless headsets 258 and 260 and the cell phone 252.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating the electrical components of awireless headset that includes a first embodiment of a wirelesstransceiving integrated circuit constructed according to the presentinvention. The wireless headset includes the wireless transceivingintegrated circuit 300 and a number of supporting components. The RadioFrequency (RF) interface for the wireless transceiving integratedcircuit 300 includes a Power Amplifier (PA) 302, a Receive/Transmitswitch 304, and an antenna 306. The power supply for wireless headset isa battery 334 that couples to the wireless transceiving integratedcircuit 300 and also couples to other components of the wirelessheadset. The wireless transceiving integrated circuit 300 includes aplurality of interfaces that adhere to standardized interface formats.These interfaces include an I2C interface 308 that may couple thewireless transceiving integrated circuit 300 to an EEPROM 309. A PulseCode Modulated (PCM) connection 310 couples the wireless transceivingintegrated circuit 300 to an audio Coder-Decoder (CODEC) 314 thatperforms coding/decoding operations. The PCM connection 310 includes aPCM synchronization signal, F_(S). The audio CODEC 314 couples to amicrophone 316 and to a speaker 318.

A serial I/O 320 may couple the wireless transceiving integrated circuit300 to an external host 320. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, thewireless headset does not require an external host 320. A parallel I/O324 may couple the wireless transceiving integrated circuit 300 to aPCMCIA controller 326 and to a USB controller 330 that my also couplethe wireless transceiving integrated circuit 300 to the external host320 via a PCMCIA bus 328 and a USB bus 332, respectively.

FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating the electrical components of awireless headset that includes a second embodiment of a wirelesstransceiving integrated circuit constructed according to the presentinvention. The embodiment of FIG. 3B is similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 3A except that the embodiment of FIG. 3B includes additionalintegration. With such integration, the PA 352 and audio CODEC 364 areon-chip and the remaining components of the wireless transceivingintegrated circuit are referred to as wireless transceiving integratedcircuit core components 351. In still another embodiment, the wirelesstransceiving integrated circuit includes an on-chip local oscillator anddoes not require an external crystal to provide a reference oscillation311.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram generally illustrating the components of awireless transceiving integrated circuit constructed according to thepresent invention. The baseband processor 400 includes a radiotransceiver 402, a baseband core (BBC) 404, and a PCM interface 406. Thewireless transceiving integrated circuit 400 shown in FIG. 4A has anintegrated radio transceiver 402 that has been optimized for use in 2.4GHz Bluetooth wireless systems.

The BBC 404 implements the physical layer of the Bluetooth interfacewith other Bluetooth enabled wireless devices. The BBC 404 managesphysical channels and links apart from other services like errorcorrection, data whitening, hop selection and Bluetooth security. TheBBC 404 implements the physical layer lies on top of the Bluetooth radiolayer in the Bluetooth protocol stack. The baseband protocol isimplemented as a Link Controller, which works with the link manager forcarrying out link level routines like link connection and power control.The BBC 404 also manages asynchronous and synchronous links, handlespackets and does paging and inquiry to access and inquire Bluetoothdevices in the area. The baseband transceiver 400 applies atime-division duplex (TDD) scheme (alternate transmit and receive).Therefore apart from different hopping frequency (frequency division),the time is also slotted.

The BBC 404 supports 13 different packet types for the baseband layer ofthe Bluetooth system. All higher layers use these packets to composehigher level PDU's. The packets are ID, NULL, POLL, FHS, and DM1. Thesepackets are defined for both SCO and ACL links. DH1, AUX1, DM3, DH3,DM5, DH5 packets are defined for ACL links only. HV1, HV2, HV3, and DVpackets are defined for SCO links only. Each Bluetooth packet consistsof 3 entities, an access code (68/72 bits), a header (54 bits), and apayload (0-2745 bits). The Access code is used for timingsynchronization, offset compensation, paging and inquiry. There arethree different types of Access codes: (1) the Channel Access Code(CAC); (2) the Device Access Code (DAC); and (3) the Inquiry Access Code(IAC). The channel access code identifies a unique piconet while the DACis used for paging and its responses. The IAC is used for inquirypurpose. The header contains information for packet acknowledgement,packet numbering for out-of-order packet reordering, flow control, slaveaddress and error check for header. Finally, the Payload contains avoice field, a data field or both. If the payload is a data field, thepayload will also contain a payload header. In supporting voicecommunications, packetized audio data is carried between wirelessdevices in Bluetooth Specification Synchronous Connection Oriented (SCO)data packets.

The PCM I/F 406 couples to the baseband core 404 and produces PCM audiodata and also a PCM synchronization signal, F_(S). According to thepresent invention, the PCM synchronization signal, F_(S) is temporallyaligned with RF slots of the radio transceiver 402 that are produced bya servicing master wireless device. The PCM I/F 406 may receive the PCMsynchronization signal, F_(S), directly from the baseband core 404 ormay construct the PCM synchronization signal, F_(S), based upon asynchronization signal received from either/both of the radiotransceiver 402 or/and the baseband core 404.

FIG. 4B is a block diagram generally illustrating in more detail thecomponents of the wireless transceiving integrated circuit 450constructed according to the present invention of FIG. 4A. The radiotransceiver 454 has been designed to provide low-power, low-cost, robustcommunications for applications operating in the globally available 2.4GHz unlicensed ISM band. It is fully compliant with the Bluetooth RFspecification Version 1.1 and meets or exceeds the requirements toprovide the highest communication link quality service. In the receiverpath, the radio transceiver 454 has a high-degree of linearity, anextended dynamic range, and high order on-chip channel filtering toensure reliable operation in the noisy 2.4 GHz ISM band. The performanceof the receiver chain is reflected in the IP3, co-channel interference,and out-of-band blocking specifications. The radio transceiver 402includes a fully integrated transmitter. Baseband data received from thebaseband core 404 is GFSK modulated and up-converted to the 2.4 GHz ISMband via an internal mixer. The radio transceiver 454 provides a normalpower output of 0 dBm and has a power control signal provided by thewireless transceiving integrated circuit 300 that controls the PA 302 toprovide 24 dBm of gain control in 8 dBm step size.

The radio transceiver 454 interfaces with the BBC 452 via a radiotransceiver interface 456, a Local Oscillator (LO) 458, and a ReceivedSignal Strength Indicator (RSSI) 460. The LO 458 provides fast frequencyhopping (1600 hops/second) across the 79 maximum available Bluetoothchannels. The radio transceiver 454 of the wireless transceivingintegrated circuit 400 features on-chip calibration, eliminating processvariation across components. This enables the wireless transceivingintegrated circuit 450 to be used in high volume applications.

The wireless transceiving integrated circuit 450 parallel I/O interface324 (coupled to the BBC 452 via an I/O port 464) can be operated ineither Master or Slave mode. By default the wireless transceivingintegrated circuit 400 will power up in one of the modes depending onthe setting of MODE pins (not shown). In Master mode, the wirelesstransceiving integrated circuit 450 accesses peripheral devices on theparallel bus 324 in (1) 8-bit parallel I/O Normal A0 Read and Writemodes; and (2) 8-bit parallel I/O Fast ALE Read and Write modes. InSlave mode, the parallel I/O bus interface 464 is intended to support aconnection to a wide range of external host processors or external hostcontrollers. Data transfer between an external host 322 and the BBC 452is provided through transmitter and receiver FIFOs. The external host322 can program and monitor the FIFO control and status registers. Thereare also additional external host accessible registers to provide theexternal host with abilities to dynamically configuring, controlling,and diagnosing the Bluetooth device. The Slave mode interface timing ofthe parallel bus 324 can be in one of: (1) 8-bit parallel I/O Normal A0Read and Write modes; (2) 8-bit parallel I/O Fast A0 Read and Writemodes; and (3) 8-bit parallel I/O Fast ALE Read and Write modes.

The asynchronous serial interface I/O 320 (coupled to the BBC 452 via anasynchronous serial port 462) enables an asynchronous serial data streamto communicate with the BBC 452 in a similar fashion as the slave modeparallel I/O interface. A programmable baud rate generator is providedto select, transmit and receive clock rates from 9600 bps to 921.6 Kbps.The default baud rate is determined by the setting of external selectionpins BAUD[3:0] (not shown).

A master mode 2-wire serial interface bus is available on the wirelesstransceiving integrated circuit 450 to allow read and write operationsfrom/to an I2C serial EEPROM 309 via the I2C interface 466 and the I2Cconnection 468. The BBC 452, via software instruction at power-on reset,sets the control of the I2C pins. At power-on reset the boot code thatresides on the BBC 452 on-chip boot ROM monitors a controlled pin todetermine the presence or absence of the serial EEPROM 309. If an EEPROM309 is detected, the BBC 452 on chip boot code performs read operationsfrom the EEPROM 309 that contains the fully operational microcode forthe BBC 452. If the EEPROM 309 is not present, the BBC 452 expects themicrocode to be downloaded from the external host. When the fullyoperational microcode is up and running, the external host can accessthe serial EEPROM 309 through an EEPROM Status and Control register. TheBBC 452 implements all the high-level time critical Link Managementfunctions in dedicated hardware under the control of themicro-sequencer. The BBC 452 hardware processes Bluetooth Link Control(LC) functions and manages Bluetooth slot usage. The external host 322can use this register to manipulate the device pins in order to read andmodify the EEPROM 309 contents as desired. The wireless transceivingintegrated circuit further includes power management functions 474 andBuilt-In-Self Test 472 functions. The power management unit 474 providespower management features that are controlled through setting of thepower management registers.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the components of a Baseband Core(BBC) 550 of the wireless transceiving integrated circuit constructedaccording to the present invention of FIGS. 4A and 4B. The BBC 550includes a microsequencer (processor) 502, a timing control unit 506, atimer 508, a power management unit 510, and a frequency hop unit 512. Inthe transmit path, the BBC 404 includes a TX data path 514 that couplesto the radio transceiver, a TX SCO buffer (output buffer) 516, and TXACL FIFOs 518. In the receive path, the BBC 550 includes an RX data path524 that couples to the radio transceiver, an RX SCO input buffer 522,and an RX ACL FIFO 520. These components service the receive path forthe BBC 550. The registers/buffers 504 receive external hostconfiguration data, external host command data, provide status to theexternal host, and interface with the external host via the parallel andserial buses. The registers/buffers 504 also interface with the audioCODEC 314 via a PCM interface 406. An input buffer controller 523operably couples to the input buffer 522 and to the processor 502.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram generally illustrating the components of aPulse Code Modulated (PCM) interface 406 of the Baseband Core 550 ofFIG. 5. The PCM interface 406 includes a transcoder 602 having a decoder608 and an encoder 610, a switch box 604 and an audio CODEC 314. Coupledto the audio CODEC 314 are a speaker 318 and a microphone 316. As shown,the audio CODEC 314 includes a Digital-to-Analog-Converter (DAC) 614that converts PCM audio data to an analog audio signal and provides theanalog audio signal to a speaker 318. Further, as is shown, the audioCODEC 314 includes an Analog-to-Digital-Converter (ADC) 614 thatreceives an analog audio signal from the coupled microphone 316 andconverts the analog audio signal to PCM audio data.

The transcoder 602 converts packetized audio data (encoded) that issuitable for the WLAN interface to PCM audio data that is suitable forthe audio CODEC 314, and vice versa. In particular, the decoder 608converts encoded packetized audio data to PCM audio data while theencoder 610 converts PCM audio data to encoded packetized audio data. Inone embodiment, the transcoder 602 supports 13-bit linear PCM CODECdevices with a 2's complement serial data format. It is capable ofsupporting an external audio clock or outputting an audio clock (ACLK)in multiples of 128 KHz, from 128 KHz to 4096 KHz. In an audio mastermode, the PCM I/F 406 can generate PCM audio data in an 8 KHz short/longFrame Sync (ASYNC) format. In an audio slave mode, the PCM I/F 406 canreceive PCM audio data in an 8 KHz short Frame Sync format.

The PCM I/F 406 supports up to three SCO channels, and in at least oneembodiment, the PCM audio data is Time Division Multiplexed (TDM) intoslots within every ASYNC period. Each of the three SCO channels can beassigned to any TDM slot. The TDM slots can be programmed from one to 16slots depending on the ACLK rate. In PCM Master mode, and for systemsthat don't support TDM, the two additional SCO channels are availableusing GPIO6 and GPIO7 as the PCM Frame Sync signals (i.e., ASYNC3 andASYNC2, respectively).

The transcoder 602 can process each SCO channel with A-law operations,μ-law operations, or Continuous Variable Slope Delta (CVSD) operations.The appropriate voice-coding scheme is selected after negotiationsbetween the Link Managers of the communicating wireless devices. On theBluetooth air-interface, either a 64 kb/s log PCM format (A-law orμ-law) is used, or a 64 kb/s CVSD is used. The latter format applies anadaptive delta modulation algorithm with syllabic companding. The voicecoding on the PCM I/F 406 should have a quality equal to or better thanthe quality of 64 kb/s log PCM. Since the voice channels on theair-interface can support a 64 kb/s information stream, a 64 kb/s logPCM traffic can be used for transmission. Either A-law or μ-lawcompression can be applied. In the event that the line interface usesA-law and the air interface uses μ-law or vice versa, a conversion fromA-law to μ-law is performed. The compression method follows ITU-Trecommendations G. 711.

A more robust format for voice over the air interface is a deltamodulation. This modulation scheme follows the waveform where the outputbits indicate whether the prediction value is smaller or larger then theinput waveform. To reduce slope overload effects, syllabic companding isapplied: the step size is adapted according to the average signal slope.The input to the encoder 610 (when performing CVSD operations) is 64kilo-samples/sec linear PCM. An on-chip voice switch box 604 of the PCMI/F 406 provides features such as N-ways conference calling, callforwarding, call waiting, call muting, and call holding, etc.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the PCM I/F 406 receives the PCMsynchronization signal, F_(S), from another component of the wirelesstransceiving integrated circuit, e.g., the baseband processor or theWLAN interface. The PCM I/F 406 performs decoding and encodingoperations based upon the PCM synchronization signal, F_(S). Further,the PCM I/F 406 performs switch box operations based upon the PCMsynchronization signal, F_(S), and also provides the signal to the DAC612 and the ADC 614 that operate according to the PCM synchronizationsignal, F_(S).

FIG. 7 is a logic diagram illustrating operation of a wireless headsetconstructed according to the present invention in performing enhancedcall management. The operations described with reference to FIG. 7 areperformed in part by the on-chip voice switch box 604 of the PCMinterface 406 of FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5. During normal operations, thewireless headset services normal operations, e.g., single call.

One particular operation that the wireless headset may perform is toplace a call on hold (step 704). In such case, the wireless headsetceases producing audio input and audio output for the call (step 706).These operations are continued during a wait state (step 708) untilnormal operations are resumed for the call (step 710). From step 710,operation proceeds to step 702. The call hold operations of steps704-710 may be performed in conjunction with the other operations ofFIG. 7, e.g., call waiting, call muting, call conferencing, etc.

Call conferencing (step 712) may be initiated by the wireless headset,or by a master device if the wireless headset does not have sufficientuser interface for call conferencing initiation. In such case, a newcall is established by the wireless headset (step 714). This new callmay be serviced by the additional channels serviced by the wirelessheadset. As was previously described, the wireless headset supportsmultiple channels. Using this multiple channels, the wireless headsetreceives audio input from all participants (step 716) and combines theaudio input, along with the input generated by the user of the wirelessheadset. The wireless headset then directs the combined audio to allparticipants (their servicing CODECs at step 720). Note that theseoperations are continually performed for the duration of the conferencecall.

The wireless headset may also mute calls (step 722). In such case, thewireless headset simply ceases all audio output (724) and waits for theuser of the wireless headset to cease the muting operations (step 726).When the muting has been ceased, the wireless headset resumes the audioservicing of the call (step 728).

The wireless headset also performs call waiting operations (step 730).In such case, the wireless headset receives an indication that a call isinbound (step 732). However, instead of immediately servicing the call,the wireless headset notifies the user of the wireless headset of thecall (step 734), e.g., provides a beeping indication to the user of thewireless headset. The wireless headset then services the call (step736), at the direction of the user to either complete the call, have thecall join a currently serviced call (via call conferencing operations insome cases), or to ignore the call.

The wireless headset may also perform call forwarding operationsaccording to the present invention (step 738). In such case, thewireless headset receives the call (step 740). However, instead ofservicing the call, the wireless headset determines a forwardinglocation for the call (step 742) and then forwards the call (step 744).Operation from steps 710, 720, 728, 736, and 744 return to step 702.

FIGS. 8A through 8D are graphs illustrating the production of PCMsynchronization pulses and PCM audio data by the transcoder of the PCMinterface of the wireless transceiving integrated circuit of the presentinvention. FIG. 8A illustrates the receipt of packetized audio data bythe WLAN interface of the wireless transceiving integrated circuit ofthe present invention. As shown, the WLAN interface periodicallyreceives packetized audio data in SCO packets, e.g., packets 802, 804,806, and 808.

FIG. 8B illustrates the production of PCM synchronization pulses, Fs, bythe PCM interface of the wireless transceiving integrated circuit of thepresent invention. FIGS. 8B and 8C illustrate the manner in which PCMdata is produced by the transcoder in differing Time DivisionMultiplexed (TDM) slots on the PCM bus. As is shown, the PCM data ofFIG. 8C resides in slot 0 and is time aligned with the PCMsynchronization pulses, F_(S), produced by the PCM I/F. As is shown inFIG. 8D, PCM data in slot 2 of FIG. 8C while not time aligned with thesynchronization pulses, F_(S), is synchronized with the synchronizationpulses, F_(S). The PCM bus illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8D created by the PCMI/F supports 4 slots. However, in other embodiments, a differing numbersof slots may be supported by the TDM bus, e.g., 2 slots, 8 slots, 16slots, 32 slots, etc.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a switchbox of the PCM interface of the WLAN transceiving circuit of the presentinvention. The switch box 900 illustrated in FIG. 9 is a firstembodiment of the switch box 604 illustrated in FIG. 6. The switch box900 receives inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 0), inbound PCM WLANaudio data (SCO CH 1), inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 2), outboundPCM bus audio data (PCM CH 0), outbound PCM bus audio data (PCM CH 1),and outbound PCM bus audio data (PCM CH 2). These inputs make up aplurality of switch box inputs received by switch box 900. The pluralityof switch box inputs are received by Signal Selection Circuitry (SSC)902, SSC 904, SSC 906, SSC 908, SSC 910, and SSC 912, respectively. Oneembodiment of the SSC is shown with reference to FIG. 10.

The switch box 900 produces a plurality of switch box outputs thatinclude outbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 0), outbound PCM WLAN audiodata (SCO CH 1), outbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 2), inbound PCMbus audio data (PCM CH 0), inbound PCM bus audio data (PCM CH 1), andinbound PCM bus audio data (PCM CH 2). The plurality of switch boxoutputs are produced by Signal Combining Circuitry (SCC) 914, SCC 916,SCC 918, SCC 920, SCC 922, and SCC 924, respectively. One particularembodiment of the SCC is shown with reference to FIG. 11.

With the embodiment of FIG. 9, each of the SCCs 914-924 receives inputsfrom each of the SSCs 902-912. Each of the SSCs 902-912 controls which,if any, of the plurality of SCCs 914-924 receives its respective inputs.For example, the SSC 902 receives the inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCOSCH 0) signal. The SSC 902 couples to each of the SCCs 914-924. However,the SSC 902 controls which of the SSCs 914-924 receives the inbound PCMWLAN audio data (SCO SCH 0) as an input. Each of the SCCs 914-924combines all of the signals that are to it provided. For example, if theSCC 924 receives the inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO SCH 1) signal fromSSC 904 and the outbound PCM bus audio data (PCM CH 2) from SSC 912, itwill combine these inputs to produce the outbound PCM WLAN audio data(PCM CH 2).

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating signal selection circuitry ofthe first embodiment of the switch box of the PCM interface of the WLANtransceiving circuit of FIG. 9. As shown, the SSC 902 illustrated inFIG. 10 receives the inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO SCH 0) signal andmay provide the inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO SCH 0) to none, one,more than one, or all of SCCs 914-924, depending upon a signal selectioncontrol input provided to the SSC 902. Each other of the SSCs 904-914has similar/identical structure as that of SSC 902 but routescorrespondingly different input signals (as illustrated in detail inFIG. 9).

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating signal combining circuitry ofthe first embodiment of the switch box of the PCM interface of the WLANtransceiving circuit of FIG. 9. The SCC 914 receives inputs from each ofthe SSCs 902-912. In such case, the input received from each of the SSCs902-912 will be the respective signal as indicated in FIG. 9 or zero.Based upon a signal gain control signal the SCC 914 combines the signalsthat are to it provided. The gain control signal indicates gain controlsthat are applied to the inputs, if any, prior to combining the gainadjusted inputs. The gain control signal may require that some of theinputs to the SCC 914 be scaled prior being combined with the otherinputs to the SCC 914 to produce the output, the inbound PCM bus audiodata (CH 0). Such gain control may be required to equalize the audiodata level during call conferencing, for example, to mute some of theinbound audio data, to combine background music with an ongoing call,and for other reasons.

Because each of the SSCs 902-912 and each of the SCCs 914-924 operateupon digital audio data in a PCM format, each of the SSCs 902-912 andthe SCCs 914-924 performs digital operations. The SSCs 902-912 thereforeoperate to digitally route the input PCM format data to the SCCs914-924. Further, the SCCs 914-924 operate to digitally combine the PCMformat data that it receives. The selective routing and the selectivecombining of digital signals is generally known and will not bedescribed further herein.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 6, 7 and 9, a first example of the operation ofthe switch box 900 and its components are described in which a servicedcall is placed on hold (see steps 704-710 of FIG. 7). The wirelessheadset 130 services a call with landline phone 134 via SCO CH 0 (thiscall may be with a remote voice with the landline phone 134 being anintermediate device). The wireless headset 130 receives inbound audioinformation from landline phone 134 as inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCOCH 0) at SSC 902 of switch box 900 and couples the inbound PCM WLANaudio data (SCO CH 0) to SCC 914. The SCC 914, after optional gaincontrol, produces the inbound PCM bus audio data (PCM CH 0). The coupledDAC 612 of the audio CODEC 314 receives the inbound PCM bus audio data(PCM CH 0) and converts the inbound PCM bus audio data (PCM CH 0) to ananalog audio signal that is presented to the user as an audio signal viaspeaker 318.

Microphone 316 receives an audio signal from the user and produces ananalog audio signal that it provides to an ADC 614 of the audio CODEC314. The audio CODEC 314 produces the outbound PCM bus audio data (PCMCH 0). The switch box 900 receives the outbound PCM bus audio data (PCMCH 0) at SSC 908 and routes the outbound PCM bus audio data (PCM CH 0)to SCC 920. SCC 920, after optional gain control, produces the outboundPCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 0). The outbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH0) is wirelessly transmitted to the landline phone 134 via the wirelessinterface.

During the hold operation, the operation of the SSC 902 and the SSC 908are controlled so that they do not pass the above-described signals and,resultantly, the call is placed on hold. Even during this holdoperation, SCO CH 0 still services the call even though the audioinformation carried thereon is silent. This hold operation may beinitiated via a button depression on the headset 130 or via othercontrol input. To remove the call from hold, a similar button depressionon the headset 130 or other control input may be provided, such as thatdescribed with reference to step 710 of FIG. 7.

In muting operations, such as those described with reference to step722, the inbound audio information, e.g., inbound WLAN audio data (SCOCH 0) is routed out of the switch box 600 as PCM bus audio data (PCM CH0) via SSC 902 and SCC 914. However, the outbound audio information,e.g., outbound PCM bus audio data (PCM CH 0), is not routed via SSC 908to SCC 920 via appropriate signal selection control input. With thesemuting operations, the user of the wireless headset 130 hears theinbound audio information but the outbound audio information issilenced.

Referring to FIGS. 2A, 6, 7 and 9, a second example of the operation ofthe switch box 900 and its components is described in which wirelessheadset 204 performs call conferencing (see steps 712-720 of FIG. 7). Ina call conferencing operation, multiple wireless channels are requiredto communicate with multiple other wireless devices. In the example ofFIG. 2A, wireless headset 204 performs call conferencing for WAP 202,wireless headset 208, and wireless headset 210, referred to jointly as“other wireless devices”. In such case, one of three wireless channelsis employed to communicate with each of WAP 202, wireless headset 208,and wireless headset 210, e.g., channels corresponding to SCO 0, SCO 1,and SCO 2, respectively. The wireless headset 204, via its switch box900, services the call conferencing.

With particular reference to FIG. 9, inbound packetized audio data, fromWAP 202, wireless headset 208, and wireless headset 210, is received bywireless headset 204 on respective WLAN channels and converted by thetranscoder to inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 0), inbound PCM WLANaudio data (SCO CH 1), AND inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 2),respectively. Each of the inbound packetized audio data streams includesonly the audio information of its respective other wireless device.Audio information from the user of the wireless headset 204 is receivedby the microphone 614 and converted to the outbound PCM bus audio data(PCM CH 0) by the ADC 614 of the audio CODEC 314.

In order to present all of the audio information to the user of wirelessheadset 204, including his/her own audio information, the switch box 900combines all of the inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 0), inbound PCMWLAN audio data (SCO CH 1), inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 2), andoutbound PCM bus audio data (PCM CH 0) via SSCs 902, 904, 906, and 908and SCC 914 to produce inbound PCM bus audio data (PCM CH 0) that ispresented to the user of the wireless headset 204. The combined outputis presented to the user of the wireless headset 204 as inbound PCM busaudio data (PCM CH 0).

In order to provide the call conferencing service to the other wirelessdevices, the switch box 900 selectively combines the inbound PCM WLANaudio data (SCO CH 0), inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 1), inboundPCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 2) and outbound PCM bus audio data (PCM CH0) and provides this combined audio information to each of the otherwireless devices. For example to service call conferencing for WAP 202(that services a remote telephone via its coupled infrastructure), theswitch box 900 combines the inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 0),inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 1), inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCOCH 2) and outbound PCM bus audio data (PCM CH 0) via SSCs 902, 904, 906,and 908 and SCC 920. In servicing call conferencing for wireless headset208, the switch box 900 combines the inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH0), inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 1), inbound PCM WLAN audio data(SCO CH 2) and outbound PCM bus audio data (PCM CH 0) via SSCs 902, 904,906, and 908 and SCC 922. Finally, in servicing call conferencing forwireless headset 210, the switch box 900 combines the inbound PCM WLANaudio data (SCO CH 0), inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 1), inboundPCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 2) and outbound PCM bus audio data (PCM CH0) via SSCs 902, 904, 906, and 908 and SCC 924.

In some cases, the inbound audio information from a particular otherwireless device is not returned to the particular other wireless deviceto avoid echoing within the particular other wireless device. In suchcase, the operation of the respective SSC is modified such that theinbound audio information is not returned to the serviced other wirelessdevice. For example, in order to avoid echoing in the device serviced bythe WAP 202, the inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 0) may not beprovided to SCC 920.

With the call waiting (steps 730-736) and call forwarding (steps738-744) operations described with reference to FIG. 7, multiplewireless channels are also required to communicate with multiple otherwireless devices. For call waiting, one serviced call may be placed onhold while a new inbound call is serviced. In such case, the switch box900 operates so that inbound and outbound audio information is notrouted. For example, if a call is currently being serviced with anotherwireless device via SCO CH 0, the switch box 900 simply stops therouting of inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 0) and outbound PCM busaudio data (PCM CH 0) when call waiting is initiated. Then, a new callon SCO CH 1 is serviced by the switch box 900 via inbound PCM WLAN audiodata (SCO CH 1) and outbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 1) usingappropriate SSC and SCC settings.

In call forwarding operations, the switch box 900 routes audioinformation between serviced WLAN channels, e.g., inbound PCM WLAN audiodata (SCO CH 0) is routed to outbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 1) andinbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 1) is routed to outbound PCM WLANaudio data (SCO CH 0). This routing by the switch box enables callforwarding between SCH CH 0 and SCO CH 1.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a switchbox of the PCM interface of the WLAN transceiving circuit of the presentinvention. The switch box 1202 of FIG. 12 is an embodiment of the switchbox 604 of FIG. 6 in which all of the inbound PCM WLAN audio data, theoutbound PCM WLAN audio data, THE inbound PCM bus audio data, and theoutbound PCM bus audio data are Time Division Multiplexed (TDM). In theillustrated embodiment, the WLAN I/F 402 supports three WLAN channels.Thus, the inbound PCM WLAN audio data and the outbound PCM WLAN audiodata occupy up to three TDM PCM slots each, each of the TDM PCM slotscorresponding to a respective WLAN channel. Further, in the illustratedembodiment, the TDM PCM bus supports 16 slots, slots 0-15. Thus, up to16 TDM PCM devices may couple to the switch box 1202 via the TDM PCMbus. These TDM PCM devices are illustrated as PCM dev. 1, PCM dev. 2, .. . , PCM dev. 15. These TDM PCM devices may include audio CODECs,Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), and other devices that operate uponaudio information.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating in more detail the secondembodiment of the switch box 1202 of FIG. 12. The switch box 1202includes control logic 1302 that receives the PCM synchronizationpulses, FS, and a control input. The switch box 1202 also includes aninbound WLAN buffer 1304, an outbound PCM buffer 1306, an outbound WLANbuffer 1308, and an inbound PCM buffer 1310. The switch box 1202 mayalso include signal selection and combining circuitry 1312 that providesa routing function.

The inbound WLAN buffer 1304 receives inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCOCH 0), inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SCO CH 1), and inbound PCM WLANaudio data (SCO CH 2). The inbound PCM buffer 1310 receives inbound PCMbus audio data on slots 0-15 from the TDM PCM BUS. Based upon controlcommands from the control logic 1302, the inbound WLAN buffer 1304routes the WLAN audio information to the outbound PCM buffer 1306 andthe outbound WLAN buffer 1308 via the routing circuitry 1312. Note thatthe functionality of the routing circuitry 1312 may be built into theinbound WLAN buffer 1304, inbound PCM buffer 1310, the outbound PCMbuffer 1306, and/or the outbound WLAN buffer 1308. In such case, thesignal selection and combining circuitry 1312 is simply a set ofconnections between these components.

Based upon control commands, the inbound PCM buffer 1310 routes the PCMBUS audio data to the outbound PCM buffer 1306 and to the outbound WLANbuffer 1308. According to the embodiment of the switch box 1202 of FIG.12, TDM PCM data that is received on one inbound slot may be switched sothat it departs on a different outbound TDM PCM slot. This teaching willbe further described with reference to FIG. 13. Further, the switch box1202 may include Signal Selection and Combining Circuitry (SSCC) 1312that combines the inbound signals to produce the outbound signals. Theoperation of the switch box 1202 produces results similar to the resultsproduced by the switch box 900 of FIG. 9 in that signals are selectivelycombined. However, the switch box 1202 of FIG. 12 operates to digitallycombine TDM PCM data from differing TDM PCM slots and to write thecombined signals to other still differing TDM PCM slots.

For example, the switch box 1202 may operate to combine inbound PCM WLANaudio data (Ch. 0), inbound PCM WLAN audio data (Ch. 1), and inbound PCMbus audio data (SLOT 7) to produce a digitally combined signal. Theswitch box 1202 may output this combined signal on the TDM PCM bus inslot 0 data so that it may be presented to a user. Further, the switchbox 1202 may also write this digitally combined signal on each of outputchannels 0, 1, and 2. Such operation may be performed for callconferencing operations.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the manner in which the switchbox 1202 of FIG. 12 operates to process audio data. As illustrated, theswitch box 1202 receives inbound PCM WLAN audio data (SLOT 0) andoutputs this audio information as inbound PCM bus audio data (SLOT 0). Acoupled RX DSP receives the audio information on slot 0, processes theaudio information, and provides the processed audio information to theswitch box 1202 as outbound PCM bus audio data (SLOT 1). The switch box1202 then turns this processed audio information around as inbound PCMbus audio data (SLOT 2) that is received by audio CODEC 612 andpresented to a user via speaker 318.

Likewise, microphone 316 receives audio information from a user,converts the audio information to an analog audio signal, and providesthe analog audio signal to the audio CODEC 614. The audio CODEC 614outputs the audio information as outbound PCM bus audio data (SLOT 2) tothe switch box 1202. The switch box 1202 turns the audio informationcontained in outbound PCM bus audio data (SLOT 2) around as inbound PCMbus audio data (SLOT 1). A coupled TX DSP 1404 receives the audioinformation via inbound PCM bus audio data (SLOT 1) to produce processedaudio information. The TX DSP 1404 then outputs the processed audioinformation as outbound PCM bus audio data (SLOT 0) to the switch box1202. The switch box 1202 then outputs the processed audio informationreceived as outbound PCM bus audio data (SLOT 0) as outbound PCM WLANaudio data (SLOT 0).

Because the switch box 1202 alters the slot position of the audioinformation that it routes, it must ensure that all output audioinformation is time synchronized. In order to do this, the switch box1202 may have to buffer audio information for a TDM frame.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating yet another embodiment of theswitch box 1500 of the present invention. As shown, the switch box 1500includes inbound signal selection and combining circuitry 1502 andoutbound signal selection and combining circuitry 1504.

The inbound signal selection and combining circuitry 1502 receives theinbound WLAN audio data and the outbound PCM bus audio data. Each of theinputs to the inbound signal selection and combining circuitry 1502 maybe received in a time divided format on a single line or may be receivedin a non-time divided format on multiple lines. The inbound signalselection and combining circuitry 1502 produces as its output theinbound PCM bus audio data, which may be produced in a time dividedformat on a single line or may be produced in a non-time divided formaton multiple lines. The manner in which the inbound signal selection andcombining circuitry 1502 produces its output is based upon the modeselect per channel and channel select inputs it receives.

The outbound signal selection and combining circuitry 1504 receives theinbound WLAN audio data and the outbound PCM bus audio data. Each of theinputs to the outbound signal selection and combining circuitry 1504 maybe received in a time divided format on a single line or may be receivedin a non-time divided format on multiple lines. The outbound signalselection and combining circuitry 1504 produces as its output theoutbound WLAN audio data, which may be produced in a time divided formaton a single line or may be produced in a non-time divided format onmultiple lines. The manner in which the outbound signal selection andcombining circuitry 1502 produces its output is based upon the modeselect per channel and channel select inputs it receives.

The invention disclosed herein is susceptible to various modificationsand alternative forms. Specific embodiments therefore have been shown byway of example in the drawings and detailed description. It should beunderstood, however, that the drawings and detailed description theretoare not intended to limit the invention to the particular formdisclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

1. A wireless transceiving integrated circuit that services voicecommunications in a wireless network with at least one wireless device,the wireless transceiving integrated circuit comprising: a wirelessinterface that wirelessly communicates with the at least one wirelessdevice to receive inbound packetized audio data from the at least onewireless device and to transmit outbound packetized audio data to the atleast one wireless device; a transcoder operably coupled to the wirelessinterface, wherein the transcoder receives the inbound packetized audiodata and converts the inbound packetized audio data to inbound PulseCode Modulated (PCM) audio data, and wherein the transcoder receivesoutbound PCM audio data and converts the outbound PCM audio data to theoutbound packetized audio data; and a switch box operably coupledbetween the transcoder and a PCM bus, the switch box including: aplurality of switch box inputs that receive the inbound PCM audio dataand outbound PCM bus audio data; a plurality of switch box outputs thatproduce the outbound PCM audio data and the inbound PCM bus audio data;and signal selection and combining circuitry operably coupled to theplurality of switch box inputs and to the plurality of switch boxoutputs that controllably combines at least two switch box inputs of theplurality of the switch box inputs to produce one switch box output ofthe plurality of switch box outputs.
 2. The wireless transceivingintegrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising: an input bufferoperably coupled to the transcoder and to the wireless interface,wherein the input buffer receives the inbound packetized audio data fromthe wireless interface and provides the inbound packetized audio data tothe transcoder; and an output buffer operably coupled to the transcoderand to the wireless interface, wherein the output buffer receives theoutbound packetized audio data from the transcoder and provides theoutbound packetized audio data to the wireless interface.
 3. Thewireless transceiving integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein: the atleast one wireless device comprises a first wireless device and a secondwireless device; and the wireless transceiving integrated circuitenables call conferencing between the first wireless device, the secondwireless device, and a wireless device that contains the wirelesstransceiving integrated circuit.
 4. The wireless transceiving integratedcircuit of claim 3, wherein: the inbound packetized audio data includesfirst inbound packetized audio data respective to the first wirelessdevice and second inbound packetized audio data respective to the secondwireless device; the outbound packetized audio data includes firstoutbound packetized audio data respective to the first wireless deviceand second outbound packetized audio data respective to the secondwireless device; and the switch box combines PCM audio datacorresponding to the first inbound packetized audio data with PCM audiodata corresponding to the second inbound packetized audio data toproduce a switch box output of the plurality of switch box outputs. 5.The wireless transceiving integrated circuit of claim 4, wherein theswitch box further combines PCM audio data received from a coupled audioCOder/DECoder (CODEC) with PCM audio data corresponding to the firstinbound packetized audio data and with PCM audio data corresponding tothe second inbound packetized audio data to produce the switch boxoutput of the plurality of switch box outputs.
 6. The wirelesstransceiving integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising: an audioCOder/DECoder (CODEC) operably coupled to a switch box output of theplurality of switch box output, wherein the audio CODEC converts theinbound PCM audio data to analog audio data; and a speaker that receivesthe analog audio data and converts the analog audio data to an audiosignal that is presented to a user.
 7. The wireless transceivingintegrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising: a microphone thatreceives an outbound audio signal from a user and that converts theoutbound audio signal to an outbound analog audio signal; an audioCOder/DECoder (CODEC) operably coupled to the microphone that convertsthe outbound analog audio signal to outbound PCM audio data; wherein theswitch box receives the outbound PCM audio data from the audio CODEC andcouples the outbound PCM audio data to the transcoder as the outboundPCM audio data; wherein the transcoder converts the outbound PCM audiodata to outbound packetized audio data; and an output buffer thatoperably couples to the transcoder and to the wireless interface, thatreceives the outbound packetized audio data from the transcoder, andthat provides the outbound packetized audio data to the wirelessinterface.
 8. The wireless transceiving integrated circuit of claim 1,wherein the wireless interface supports the Bluetooth Specification. 9.The wireless transceiving integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein thewireless interface supports one or more versions of the IEEE 802.11standards.
 10. The wireless transceiving integrated circuit of claim 1,wherein the signal selection and combining circuitry comprises: signalselection circuitry operably coupled to the plurality of switch boxinputs; and signal combining circuitry operably coupled to the signalselection circuitry and to the plurality of switch box outputs.
 11. Thewireless transceiving integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein incontrollably combining at least two switch box inputs of the pluralityof the switch box inputs to produce one switch box output of theplurality of switch box outputs, the wireless transceiving integratedcircuit performs call conferencing.
 12. The wireless transceivingintegrated circuit of claim 1, wherein in controllably combining atleast two switch box inputs of the plurality of the switch box inputs toproduce one switch box output of the plurality of switch box outputs,the wireless transceiving integrated circuit performs call forwarding.13. A method for servicing a call in a wireless network with at leastone other wireless device, the method comprising: receiving firstinbound packetized audio data from a first wireless device of the atleast one other wireless device; converting the first inbound packetizedaudio data to first inbound Pulse Code Modulated (PCM) audio data;receiving second inbound packetized audio data from a second wirelessdevice of the at least one other wireless device; converting the secondinbound packetized audio data to second inbound PCM audio data; andcontrollably combining the first inbound PCM audio data with the secondinbound PCM audio data to produce inbound PCM audio data.
 14. The methodof claim 13, further comprising: converting the inbound PCM audio datato an analog audio signal; converting the analog audio signal to anaudio signal; and presenting the audio signal to a user.
 15. The methodof claim 13, wherein the packetized audio data is in a BluetoothSpecification data format.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein thepacketized audio data is in a data format consistent one or moreversions of the IEEE 802.11 standards.
 17. The method of claim 13,further comprising: receiving an outbound audio signal from a user;converting the outbound audio signal to an outbound analog audio signal;converting the outbound analog audio signal to outbound PCM audio data;controllably combining the outbound PCM audio data with at least one ofthe first inbound PCM audio data and the second inbound PCM audio datato produce outbound PCM audio data; converting the outbound PCM audiodata to outbound packetized audio data; and transmitting the outboundpacketized audio data to the at least one other wireless device.
 18. Themethod of claim 13, wherein in controllably combining the first inboundPCM audio data with the second inbound PCM audio data to produce inboundPCM audio data, call conferencing operations are performed.
 19. Themethod of claim 13, wherein in controllably combining the first inboundPCM audio data with the second inbound PCM audio data to produce inboundPCM audio data, call forwarding operations are performed.
 20. A wirelessnetwork transceiving integrated circuit that services voicecommunications in a wireless network with at least one wireless device,the wireless transceiving integrated circuit comprising: means forreceiving first inbound packetized audio data from a first wirelessdevice of the at least one other wireless device; means for convertingthe first inbound packetized audio data to first inbound Pulse CodeModulated (PCM) audio data; means for receiving second inboundpacketized audio data from a second wireless device of the at least oneother wireless device; means for converting the second inboundpacketized audio data to second inbound PCM audio data; and means forcontrollably combining the first inbound PCM audio data with the secondinbound PCM audio data to produce inbound PCM bus audio data.